Carroll Digest

CARROLL COUNTY DIGEST

July 01, 2004

Man stops attempt by two armed men to enter his home

A Sykesville man thwarted an early-morning home invasion by two men armed with semiautomatic pistols, state police said yesterday.

Troopers responded at 5:45 a.m. to a call from a resident in the 1400 block of Buckhorn Road. The victim, whose identity police would not release, said that three people - two men and a woman - arrived unannounced on his doorstep. When the resident opened the door, the two men - both about 6 feet tall and 200 pounds - brandished semiautomatic pistols and attempted to get into the house.

Authorities said the victim shut the door on the men and woman, who fled in two vehicles: a blue, older model van or minivan with no front license plate and a newer, gold Chevrolet Malibu.

State police are asking anyone with information to call 410-386-3000.

2 men injured in collision of pickups on Route 140

Two men were injured yesterday and rush-hour traffic was stalled when two trucks collided on Carroll County's busiest thoroughfare, authorities said.

Allen Byrd Ripley, 73, of Keymar was driving east on Route 140 in a 2000 Chevrolet pickup truck when his vehicle was struck as he attempted a left turn onto Baugher Road near Frizzellburg at 6:45 a.m., said Maj. Thomas Long, spokesman for the county Sheriff's Office.

Driving a 1999 Dodge pickup truck west on Route 140, Louis William Powell Jr., 27, of Thurmont hit the right front fender and headlight of Ripley's truck, police said.

The two trucks skidded 20 feet before coming to rest in the westbound lanes, authorities said. Ripley was flown to Maryland Shock Trauma Center, where he was treated and released yesterday afternoon. Powell was treated at the scene, Long said.

Route 140 was closed for about an hour while traffic was detoured onto Old Taneytown Pike. Sgt. Tina L. Ray is continuing an investigation.

Gamber resident to head state emergency agency

Melvin J. Blizzard of Gamber, a veteran Baltimore County police officer, will lead the domestic preparedness branch for the Maryland Emergency Management Agency. Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. announced the appointment Tuesday.

Blizzard, 51, will be responsible for administering the state's federal homeland security grants and also will coordinate efforts with Maryland's critical infrastructure protection program. With 30 years' experience in law enforcement, he has served since 2001 as emergency preparedness commander in Baltimore County.

State police to conduct sobriety checkpoints

Expecting a higher volume of alcohol-impaired drivers on the Independence Day holiday, Maryland State Police will conduct sobriety checkpoints from late Saturday to Sunday morning.

Day-trippers to Ocean City also were warned that the U.S. 50 corridor will be heavily policed for speeding and alcohol offenses, as well as seatbelt use.

Westminster police probing 2 homemade-bomb blasts

Westminster police are looking for those responsible for making two homemade bombs that exploded without incident early yesterday in the city.

"Whoever is doing this is looking at serious consequences," said Capt. Randy Barnes.

Officers responded to a 1 a.m. call about an explosion on Pennsylvania Avenue. When police arrived, they found a damaged plastic soda bottle containing a mixture of household products.

Two hours later, an officer patrolling Park Place near Green Street found the remains of a similar device.

Barnes said the department is offering a $100 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for building or deploying the bombs. Callers can leave information at the station, 410-848- 4646, or on the tips hot line at 410-857-8477.